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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-iran-idUSKCN1240M1
Iranian Parliament Speaker Snubs German Minister on Visit
(Reuters) Gernot Heller - The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani, canceled talks with German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Tehran on Tuesday after the visitor had urged Iran to pursue reforms at home and act responsibly in Syria. The snub to Gabriel highlighted the challenge facing Western governments as they try to cultivate ties with Iran's political leadership. Gabriel was quoted as telling German news magazine Der Spiegel last week that Iran could have normal, friendly relations with Germany only when it accepted Israel's right to exist. Iran's government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said on Tuesday: "No country can set preconditions for Iran. We live with our beliefs. Tehran will never recognize Israel."